Flash suppressor



Jan. 27, 1959 R. v. COLLINS FLASH SUPPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1952 INVENTORQ Richard V: Cullina ATTOENE Y5 Jan. 27, 1959 R. v. COLLINS FLASH SUPPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 25, 1952 SA I IIE v 1 II.

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INVENTOR. R1 :huvd V E0111 :1 .5 BY K5; Ma 7fl1 ATTORNEYS FLASH SUPPRESSOR Richard V. Collins, Dahlgren, Va., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application November 25, 1952, Serial No. 322,468

10 Claims. (Cl. 89--14) This invention relates to flash suppressors.

An object of the invention is to provide a one piece quick attachable flash suppressor for gunsvor other devices having flaming exhaust pipes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suppressor which is made integral to prevent loss of parts and which can be assembled to a gun with a minimum of labor and tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suppressor which will not obstruct the view of the gunner while aiming the weapon to which it is attached.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the invention. j

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the form shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a front end view of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional 'view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is aside elevational view of the form shown in Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a front end view of the device illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. e

The present invention was devised to provide a one piece flash suppressor which can be easily and quickly attached to a gun. Devices used in the past have been of a size to not only hide the flash but obscure the field of vision of the gunner. Whilethe present illustration shows the suppressor secured to a small caliber machine gun barrel it is to be understood that it can be used on larger guns without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should be noted at this time that although the drawing shows the rear end of the suppressor replacing'the front barrel hearing, it will operate equally well on a gun having no front bearing.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings:

In Figures 1, 2, and 3 the invention is shown as applied to a .50 cal. machine gun having a barrel 10 and a barrel jacket 11. The barrel jacket is internally screw threaded at its forward end, as at 12 to receive a front bearing (not shown) which bearing is removed for substitution of the screw threaded portion 13 formed on a cylindrical body portion 14. A screw 15 which normally secures the front bearing to the barrel jacket engages a screw threaded opening 16 in the body portion to secure the suppressor against removal.

The forward part 17 of the body portion extends a substantial distance forwardly of the muzzle end of the barrel 10 in known relationship to the caliber of the gun to which the suppressor is attached. An axial bore 18 of greater diameter than the gun bore is formed in the body portion, extending from the forward end to a point near the muzzle end of the barrel. Longitudinal slots 19 are States Patent 0 2,870,679 Patented J an. 27, ,1959

. u cut'radially in the body portion through to the bore 18 and extendthe entire length of the bore to provide a plurality of bars 20. The bars extend forwardly parallel to the axis of the bore, are spaced circumferentially thereabout, and as shown are entirely separate and unconnected at their forward ends. I

An axially disposed counter-bore 21 is formed in the rear end of the body portion and extends forwardly to the rear ends of the slots 19 and is in open communication with the bore 18. A conical relief 22 is formed at the rear end of the counter bore 21 for ease of assembly.

As hereinbefore stated the method of assembly is simply and easily performed. The front bearing is removed after removal of screw 15, and the rear end of the suppressor is inserted in place thereof, after which the screw may be replaced to secure the suppressor. When using the suppressor on guns which have no barrel jacket the screw 15 will secure it to the gun barrel.

Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a slightly modified form of the invention wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters, with the addition of the suffix a.

A cylindrical body portion 14a is externally screw threaded at 13a to engage internal threads on a barrel jacket similar to the one shown in Figure 1. A screw threaded opening 16a in the body portion receives a securing screw, not shown.

The forward part 1711 of the body portion extends a substantial distance beyond the muzzle end of the barrel 10a in known relationship to the caliber of the gun to which the suppressor is attached. An axial bore 18a of greater diameter than the gun bore is formed in the body portion, extending from the forward end to a point near the muzzle end of the barrel. Longitudinal slots 19a are cut radially in the body portion through to the bore 18a to provide a plurality of bars 20a. The bars extend forwardly parallel to the axis of the bore, are spaced circumferentially thereabout and, as in the species of Figures 1-3, are separate and unconnected at their forward ends.

An axially disposed counter-bore 21a is formed in the rear end of the body portion and extends forwardly to the rear end of the bore 18a and is in open communication therewith. A conical relief 22a is formed at the rear end of the counter-bore 21a for ease of assembly.

The slots 19a are cut through to the bore 18a rearwardly to a point 25 from which point the slots taper inwardly at an angle of 12 degrees. In effect these tapered slots define a frusto-conical area 25 having its base end opening forwardly.

The radial slots 19a are continued into the frusto-conical bore 26 to its rear end and provide the bars 18a with diminishing diametrical dimensions within the bore 26. The gases emerging from the muzzle end of the gun barrel thus begin to expand before reaching the radial slots 19a.

It is believed that the construction and operation of the invention has been clearly presented and that therefor further discussion is unnecessary.

Reference may be made to a copending application of John H. Fergus and Aaron W. Horton, Serial No. 161,336, filed May 11, 1950, for a more detailed explanation of the manner in which the present invention operates for its intended purpose.

While I have disclosed two forms of the invention presently preferred by me, various changes and modifications will occur to those skilledin the art after a study of the present disclosure. Hence the disclosure is tobe taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense; and it is my desire and intention to reserve all modifications falling within the scope of the subjoined claims.

as'z eve said axial bore and counterbored rearwardly to receive thernuzzle end of a gun, and means, for securing the suppressor to a gun.

2. Ina flash suppressor for guns, a body portion-having anaxial bore in the rearwardpart of its length, said" bore beingformed to receive the muzzle end of a gun, a forwardly" outwardly expanding frusto-conical bore in said, body portion forwardly of; and forming an axial continuation of said bore and communicating therewith, circumferentially spaced suppressor bars formed integralwith the body portion and extending forwardly thereof parallel with the bore axis, saidbars also extending rearwardly into the said frusto-conical boreto a point near the muzzle end of the gun and being entirely free and separate at their forward 'ends, and means for securing the suppressor to a gun.

3. The combination with a 50-caliber machine gun barrel having a spaced cylindrical jacket interiorly screwthreaded at its forwardend, of a flash suppressor defining a tubular cylindrical body portion screw threaded at its outer rear end to engage the screw threads on the said cylindrical jacket and formed internally to provide a front barrel support, said cylindrical body portion extendingforwardly of the muzzle end of the barrel and terminating in a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced bars parallel with the bore axis of said barrel, said bars defined by slots through the wall of said body portion and opening completely through the forward end thereof.

4. In a flash suppressor for a SO-caliber machine gun, a body portion having an axial bore in the rearward part of its length, said bore being formed to receive the muzzle end of a gun, said body portion having an axial bore formed in the remainder of its length in open communication with said gun receiving bore and having longitudinal parallel spaced slots opening through its forward end to form circumferentially spaced bars united at their rearward ends only, said slots being cut through the resultant wall radially for a part of their length and being reduced diametricallyin the remainder of their length to form a tapered wall'intermediate the said bars and outwardly of the said slots. I i 5. In a flash suppressor for; attachment to theforward extension from the muzzle end of a 50-caliber machine gun, a generally tubular body having a central axial bore counterbored. from its rearward end to fit about said extension, said boreand counter-bore defining an annular shoulder therebetween, there also being a plurality of equiangularly circumferentially spaced slots in saidbody extending longitudinally and radially'through the inner said h r a sa p n b ng bst tia y equi nsui larly related.

7. In a flash suppressor for a 50-caliber machine gun,

a generally cylindrical tubular metallic body having a first axial bore in its rearward end thereof fitting about the muzzle end of a gun barrel, and a second bore of ref duced diameter in its forward portion communicating with and coaxial of said first boresaid body terminating forwardly in a plurality of axially and radially extending slots in and extending completelythrough said body and connected only at their rearward ends to-form a corresponding number of equally and circumferentially. spaced discrete suppressor bars extending forwardly of the muzzle end of the gun when said suppressor is positioned thereon.

8. Irrafiash suppressor for a' 50-caliber machine gun,

a tubular generally cylindrical metallic body having a first axial bore in. its rear end to fit about themuzzle end of. a barrel, and a second bore of reduced diameter in its forward portion communicating; withandcoaxial of said first bore, a plurality of axially and radially extending slots in and extending completely through said forward portion andthe forward end thereof to define through. said. forward. portion. andv the forward. end

thereof to define an equal number of equally circumferentially spaced. discrete suppressor bars connected only at their rearward ends and extending forwardly of the muzzle when. the suppressor is in position upon agun barrel, the material of said body between saidbars being removed outwardly and forwardly beginning with the juncture between said portions, to define a generally frusto-conical expansion area between said 'bars.

10. In a flash suppressor for guns, a body portion hav- I ing an axial bore in the rearward part of its length, said bore being formed to receive the muzzle end of a gun, circumferentially spaced suppressor bars formed integral with said body portion and extending forwardly thereof and parallel with the boreaxis of said gun, the material of said body between said bars being removed forwardly and outwardly from said shoulder for a distance less than the. length of said bars to conjointly define a frustoconical forwardly and outwardly disposed expansion chamber, and means for securing said suppressor to a gun.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS Rose: Sept; 29, 1925 1,555,027 Ros'e; Sept. 29," 1925 2,444,910- Barker"; July 13,1948 2,602,255- Cutts July 8, 1952 I-FOREIGN PATENTS 911,049 France Feb; '25, 1946 

